CREWE Alex still have their fingers crossed they will entertain Everton in a pre-season friendly next month.

The clubs have been in talks for a number of weeks but the Toffee-men, who will appear in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers next season after an outstanding fourth-place finish in the Premiership, are having problems.

They are awaiting details of other games that are lined up, while ex-boss Howard Kendall is due a testimonial around the time of the proposed game, pencilled in for the week before the 2005-06 campaign gets under way.

Dario Gradi said he is prepared to wait for a possible repeat of last summer's preparation game against the Goodison Park side, when goals from Steve and Billy Jones sealed a 2-0 win for the Alex.

He said: 'We are waiting on Everton. It looks a little doubtful. They would like to play us but may not be able to. David Moyes said he will get back to me.'